Aviary Home Decor and Lounge on S. Lamar. This adorable home decor shop + lounge is simply the bees knees. Check out how the check was presented to us– IN a classic copy of House at Pooh Corner with a handwritten check on a notecard! This simple gesture re-places the significance of a simple thank you, which can be hard to come by these days. In fact, their website highlights their aim to set their customers apart from the herd. And, we did feel special in our little newly found secret spot.

Aviary is a little cutely (without being too feminine) decorated haven, tucked away in a petit shopping center, next to the Black Sheep Lodge. I am still amazed at the precious style and concept of making dual use of a shopping space to welcome wine/cocktail lovers. If I had stayed longer, I would have probably grabbed a decorative pillow from the shelves and gotten very, very comfy. Instead, we sat at an urban-style table that made us feel like we were at home in the kitchen, sipping wine from glasses that were for sale and munching on a cheese platter with a set of ceramic plates that could also be mine (for a fee). Bottom line, everything you eat or drink from/on is for sale!

Owner Marco was hands on from the beginning, educating us on the wine menu as we enjoyed Wine Down Wednesdays (1/2 off all bottles and you can take the remainder home if you don’t finish them!). In fact, he was so in his element pouring wine behind the mini bar that when he went to open a bottle of sparkling wine, it decided to land all over his face and shirt. He laughed it off, delivered our pre-spray water order, and went back to the bar. I bet this is part of what he loves about the shop, as do I– it’s intimately modest, stylish, and gives you the right-at-home warm fuzzy feel.

Yes, that is a DJ spinning in the stop + lounge. Like a DJ spinning in your living room. Too sweet.

There are events just about every day of the week. Check them out here and stop by for a reTreat. Aviary, you are the wine beneath my wings.